Nolan's Mansion, Hamptons
Carefully, Emily took the cup of tea that Nolan handed her, noting that her hands were trembling. She was still befuddled about what Charlotte had told her at the police department, and why Nolan had then suggested to move the discussion to a more private place. Now she was sitting in the living room of Nolan's mansion while Charlotte's and Nolan's concerned glances focused on her, not knowing what to do to ease the pain she felt inwardly.
"I'll talk to Daniel again," Charlotte promised, placing a hand on Emily's thigh. "I'm sure he didn't mean what he said. He was just angry and overwhelmed with the whole situation." She let out a sigh. "Sometimes he just acts thoughtlessly, without actually thinking about the consequences."
Emily's hand went involuntarily to the scar that Daniel's shot had left. "Yes, I know what he is capable of when he is in despair and can't see a way out," she said quietly, lowering her head.
Charlotte's gaze had followed her hand. "That was back then. His feelings have changed. Daniel loves you! And he loves Julian. He would do nothing that could harm him."
"Sometimes love is not enough..." Emily felt a tear running out of her eye and then over her cheek. Resolutely, she wiped it away. Sentiments won't help her in her situation. She had to think unemotionally. "I have no doubt that he will report me to the police, without batting an eyelash, if he finds out that I helped my father to escape," she said quietly. "If his hatred already goes so far as to take Julian away from me, then he is capable of that, too."
Charlotte looked at her with a tormented expression, while Nolan nodded reluctantly.
"I'm afraid Emily is right," he said slowly. "And it doesn't matter whether he loves her or not. Yes, I even think he loved her when he shot at her back then. But he is too hurt and furious about her renewed breach of trust to see that. Sometimes hate is stronger than any other feelings."
"I can't stay..." Emily knew the moment she voiced it loudly that it was true. She couldn't risk losing Julian. She had already lost everything else.
"What do you mean?" Charlotte looked at her confused.
"I have to leave the country." Emily looked at Nolan. "Please, you have to help me!" She begged him. "He won't rest until he finds out I helped my father. I'm an accomplice then. In addition, he will probably tell everyone that I'm Amanda Clarke." She looked at Charlotte. "He said he's in doubt that our marriage is valid?"
Charlotte nodded hesitantly.
"Well, maybe he's right." She shrugged. "If he can prove that I have lied to him intentionally, he will try to annul the marriage."
"Emily, no..." Charlotte reached for her hand. "I don't want you to go!" Tears welled in her eyes. "Then what will become of us? I just found my sister. Shall I lose her right away?" She said desperately.
"I'm sorry!" Emily squeezed her hand and then turned to Nolan. "Can you help me?" She repeated her request from before.
He nodded reluctantly. "You want me to get you a new ID and airplane tickets." It was not a question but a statement.
Emily nodded. "The doctors told me that Julian can be released at the weekend. I have to get him out of the hospital unnoticed. Daniel or anyone else can't know about it. After that I go straight to the airport. I can't risk going back to the beach house again."
"You're really determined to go through with this, right?" Charlotte looked at her with sad eyes.
"Do I have a choice?" When no one answered, she put the cup of tea back on the table and rose. "I would like to say goodbye to Ava and Jack," she said softly, looking at Nolan. "Can you take me to the bar? And another request..." She ran a tired hand through her hair. "Can I stay with you for a couple of days until everything is prepared for my departure?" As he jumped up and pulled her into a tight hug, her self-control crumbled. She let the tears run down freely and pressed her face to his shoulder. She could feel Charlotte embracing her from behind, sobbing silently. She suddenly became aware of the extent of her decision to leave the country, Daniel, Charlotte, and her friends for good, and she clung to Nolan, who simply held her, patting her back and hair, whispering reassuring words.
Charlotte was the first who took a step back. "Where are you going?" She asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Until then Emily had not really thought about her destination. But as she started to ruminate on that now, she suddenly had a flashback about her engagement party, four years ago, when Daniel had searched for her and had found her on the beach...
"Come to Paris with me!"
"What?"
"I already bought the tickets. Just let's go!"
"Daniel, that's crazy!"
"The further away we are from my family, the more chance we have doing this right."
"I can't. My life is here... our lives are here. Running away isn't the answer."
"Sometimes it's the only answer. There is nothing for me here but secrets and lies."
"I'm here."
"And why is that exactly? Why do you wanna marry me, Emily?"
"Because I love you!"
"Then come away with me!"
Charlotte took her out of her trance-like state. "Emily? I asked where you want to go?"
She raised her head and looked at her sister, thoughtfully. "Paris," she replied quietly. She couldn't save her marriage. But maybe she would be able to build a new life in Paris. Daniel had been right back then. Sometimes running away was the only answer. She wondered if she could have saved her marriage if she'd left with him. She turned to Nolan. "My decision has been made," she repeated. "Can you get me a ticket to Paris?"
